"But Erina-san runs really fast; she's already in first place," Yukihira Soma exclaimed.
"It looks like Erina-chan really wants to perform well in front of the person she likes!" Leonora Nakiri said with a gentle smile, "That's why she's working so hard!"
"What?! I run much faster than Erina!" Alice Nakiri puffed out her cheeks and cried out angrily.
However, to everyone's dismay, Akikubo Momo was running at the very back.
"Boo hoo hoo, this kind of Momo isn't cute at all," she cried as she ran, still carrying her teddy bear, "I'm never participating in this kind of sport again."
"Indeed, participating in this sport was too much for her, wasn't it?" Satou said, a bit speechless.
Ultimately, Erina Nakiri crossed the finish line first, followed by Tadokoro Megumi.
"Erina-san runs so fast."
"Yes."
"She's really amazing."
The nearby students exclaimed in admiration.
"Erina-san, you're really amazing," Tadokoro Megumi wiped the sweat from her face and said in admiration.
"Eh? Really?"
Erina Nakiri was panting heavily. Her face flushed upon hearing this, but the exhilarating feeling she had never experienced before made her feel indescribably comfortable.
At this moment, Satou and the others had already arrived at the finish line.
"That's great, I got first place!"
As soon as Erina Nakiri saw Satou, her eyes lit up, and she joyfully ran over and hugged him.
"She's quite heavy," Satou said, holding the Tsundere. Her body felt very hot and fragrant, covered in slippery sweat.
"It's just a sports festival, why are you so happy?"
Looking at Erina Nakiri, who was smiling so happily, Satou was quite speechless. As expected of a Tsundere with zero life experience, she could be so happy just by getting first place, like a child who had received candy.
However, looking at the Tsundere's smile in his arms, Satou still didn't voice those words.
"I say, Erina," he said.
"Hmm?" Erina Nakiri looked at him with some confusion. At this moment, her small face was flushed from the strenuous exercise, her golden hair was somewhat damp and stuck to her face, and her clear skin was covered in beads of sweat.
"Everyone is watching you," Satou coughed lightly and said.
Erina Nakiri turned her head and realized that the nearby students were all staring dumbfounded at the two of them embracing. Her face immediately turned so red it could drip blood, and she quickly jumped out of Satou's arms as if electrocuted, feeling very embarrassed.
"Erina-san, quickly drink some water. Here's a towel," Hisako Arato quickly ran over, offering a cup of water and a towel.
"Eh? Okay." Erina Nakiri quickly took a sip of water and wiped away her sweat.
"Erina-san, did you twist your ankle participating in this commoner's sports festival? Are you out of breath? Should I call a doctor?" Secretary Zi asked with a tense expression.
"Hmm, I'm fine, Hisako." Seeing Hisako looking as if facing a great enemy, Erina Nakiri was somewhat amused and annoyed, feeling that Hisako was even more nervous than herself.
"It's easy to catch a cold right after running. Erina-san, please put on this jacket and sit down to rest," Hisako Arato then helped her put on a jacket and brought a chair for her to sit on.
Erina Nakiri was instantly somewhat amused and annoyed, saying, "Hisako, you don't have to do this."
"No, it's my responsibility to take care of Erina-san," Hisako Arato said very seriously.
Under duress, Erina Nakiri had no choice but to sit down.
However, girls like Ryoko Sakaki and Tadokoro Megumi, who had finished running, had already recovered, so her situation was quite noticeable.
"Haha, Erina-san, it's just a run, is it necessary to make such a big deal out of it?" Yukihira Soma chuckled, unable to resist teasing her.
Erina Nakiri's face immediately flushed, and she lowered her head.
"Go away! How can Erina-san's noble body suffer even the slightest harm? Please stay at least three meters away from Erina-san and do not disturb her rest," Hisako Arato pushed him away unhappily and said coolly.
"Megumi, do you want some water?" At this moment, Satou handed a cup of water to Tadokoro Megumi.
"Eh? Thank you, Satou!"
Tadokoro Megumi was startled and quickly took it, whispering.
"Hmm, Megumi, you ran very hard."
Satou smiled encouragingly.
"Really? But Erina Nakiri still ran faster."
Tadokoro Megumi's face flushed, feeling both shy and touched, she lowered her head and said.
At this moment, Akikubo Momo finally finished running.
She ran the hundred meters in a full half-minute, and as soon as she reached the finish line, she sat directly on the ground, so tired she was almost collapsing.
"Damn it, I'm never participating in this kind of activity again."
Her eyes were red, and tears welled up in them.
Other students had people handing them water after they finished running, but there was no one beside her.
Because usually at school, Akikubo Momo was always quiet, with a stern face, exuding an aura that kept people away; it was rare for anyone to talk to her for over half a month.
"Hey, Akikubo-senpai, do you want some water?"
Satou asked.
"Damn it! Su Pian, get away from me."
Akikubo Momo, with tears in her eyes, snapped angrily.
Satou was a bit speechless, muttering softly: "She cries even when running, Senpai, you really are like a child."
"Who... who's crying?"
Akikubo Momo's face immediately flushed, and she waved the plushie in her hand, saying with some guilt.
"Here, have some candy, eat the candy and be a good girl and don't cry."
Satou smiled slightly and handed a piece of candy to her lips.
Akikubo Momo's forehead was covered in black lines, because Satou's method was clearly for coaxing a five or six-year-old girl.
"Damn Su Pian."
Her face darkened, and a chill emanated from her eyes.
However, looking at the brightly colored candy in front of her, exuding a faint fragrance, Akikubo Momo was stunned for a moment, hesitated for a while, and finally opened her small mouth and took the candy in.
"Such an elegant sweetness!"
Her heart was immediately surprised, and the taste was very natural; if melted into syrup, it would definitely make delicious desserts.
For a moment, she truly forgot to cry.
"Hmm, good girl, don't cry after eating the candy."
Satou smiled and stroked her hair, clearly teasing her intentionally.
-------------------------
If you enjoy this story, you can read 70+ advanced chapters on Patreon!
Webnovel will keep getting 1 new chapter every day but Patreon readers can stay far ahead.
Maybe it's not a big deal now… maybe it will be later.
[email protected]/Greyhounds
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"